HDTV - High Definition Television

Television, one of the greatest entertainment devices ever created.

Back in the day, people were outstanded by the capability of being able to watch broadcasts in black & white.

People were amazed by the technology of being able to watch live broadcasts from across the world, films and sports all whilst not having to leave their homes.

Then came along colour!

Obviously, we have come a long way since then, what with the capabilities of computers and the internet, video calling and other technological advances, having colour television all seems a bit primitive.

Since colour television there also have been some more advances for our viewing pleasure.

There was the VCR, giving people the choice of recording their programmes or buying video’s for their kids.

Then came along DVD. DVD produced improved quality in audio and visual a normal VCR cassette couldn’t compete with, as well as separating the films into scenes and sections, and adding extras.

Now with digital television widely becoming the standard, we have LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) & Plasma screens, again improving picture quality whilst saving space. But it doesn’t stop there.

The new technology that again, will improve the viewing pleasure is ‘High Definition TV’ or HDTV for short.

So, what is HDTV?

HDTV is the latest generation of digital TV, providing life-like picture quality, at least four times superior to current standards. It will provide extremely clear and fine picture detail with richer colours, improving the visual experience.

At launch, HDTV is thought to be available from BSkyB. In order to view programmes broadcast in 'High Definition', a soon to be released HDTV Sky Receiver with Sky+ technology will be required. In addition, the benefit of High Definition will only be apparent through a HDTV television (ideally plasma or LCD).

Please note, not all Plasma & LCD televisions currently available are HDTV compatible. It is expected to become available in the first quarter of 2006.

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HDTV Or LCD?

HDTV - The next generation of TV, or the next 8 track cartridge format. That's the important question for anyone looking to invest in a new HDTV television. There have been so many different video, tape and sound system formats that the consumer could be forgiven for cynicism and exercising more than a touch of caution.

The HDTV format has been put together by an industry wide group of US researchers and manufacturers, rather than any one manufacturer. It should not be subject to the inter-manufacturer squabbling that killed the 8-track cartridge or Beta format video recording.

HDTV offers a spectacular combination of color intensity and Dolby Digital surround sound that has impressed most reviewers. Giving cinema-like sound and picture quality.

Gas Plasma HDTV screens offer a higher degree of contrast than the competing LCD flat screen TVs. This means the TV has a visible and bright picture, even in a brightly lit room, no more closing the drapes to watch a football game in the afternoon. The Plasma screen also has a much wider viewing angle, so the whole family can watch from around the room. LCD screens have improved in this regard, but are still limited. The colors on an LCD screen change once you are not directly in front or within 10 degrees of a centre line.

If your new television screen is intended for use as a video game screen as well, then the choice is more difficult. This is because gas plasma screens do suffer from "Burn in". Burn in is where an image that has been displayed for an extended period of time leaves an after-image on the screen even after it is removed. This can be a problem with video gamers because game on-screen control panels tend to be static and would cause "Burn in."

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What Size Of Bed Is Good For You?

Are you shopping for a new bed for your bedroom?  Are you confused with just what size of bed you should get?  Worry not because you are not alone in this.  Not everyone knows the difference between a single bed and a double bed, as well as the difference between a queen-sized bed and a king-sized bed.  Not even furniture store attendants are well aware of the differences.

The size of your bed, however, is crucial to the quality of sleep that you will be getting.  So, it is important for you to get the bed size that is just perfect for you as well as for your partner if you are not sleeping alone.

Here is a rough guide to bed sizes.

* Singles.  Single beds are also known as twin beds or bunk beds.  They are often placed for use in children's rooms, in multiple use guestrooms and in dorm rooms.  A typical single bed is 39 inches wide and 75 inches long; it is ideal for small bedrooms.

The great thing about single beds is that you will not find it difficult to find sheets for them, because sheets for single beds are the ones most available in furniture and department stores.  Single beds are also usually fitted with trundle beds that you can pull out if you have a guest sleeping over.

The problem with single beds, however, is that they are mostly too short to accommodate adults.  If you really want a single bed but you feel that it would be too short for you, you can opt to buy an extra long single bed, which is five more inches on the standard-sized single bed.  Buying the appropriate-sized sheets for this length of bed, on the other hand, can pose a different challenge.

* Doubles.  If you are sharing your bed with someone and he or she does not mind snuggling close to you every night, or if you are sleeping alone and you just want a big space to sleep in, then a double bed is a good option for you.  A double bed, also known as a full bed, is a perfect fit for guestrooms and smaller master bedrooms.  The size of a double bed is 54 inches by 75 inches.

But while size may make the double bed perfect for smaller master bedrooms, it can be a problem for people whose height requires them to sleep in a longer bed.  It may also be uncomfortable to be shared by two people who are not used to sleeping closely side-by-side with someone else.

* Queens.  With a size of 60 inches by 80 inches, a queen-sized bed is six inches wider and five inches longer than your standard double bed.  It is definitely big enough for a couple to sleep comfortably next to each other, and yet small enough to allow for some snuggling and cozy companionship.  Just like double beds, the queen-sized bed is a very nice fit in guestrooms and smaller master bedrooms.

Some people may still find the queen-sized bed too narrow or too short for their needs.  For people who do find the standard queen-sized bed still too small for them, there is the Olympic Queen size – a few inches wider and longer than your regular queen, but still smaller than the king-sized bed.

* Kings.  There are actually two kinds of king-sized beds.  One is called the eastern king or the standard king, while the other is referred to as the western king or the Californian king.  What is the difference between these two?

The eastern king is 76 inches wide and 80 inches long – 16 inches wider than a standard queen-sized bed but just as long.  It is actually the biggest and widest bed size available in department stores.  With a bed that big, you can definitely sleep in comfort even if you are sleeping beside another person.

A standard king-sized bed may be prized for its size, but it is also its size that can make it quite impractical to buy.  It is suited only to big bedrooms, naturally because of its size, and it would be quite hard to move a bed of this size around.  Also, the standard king-sized bed may be too short for tall adults.

If you want a king-sized bed but the length of the bed is your concern, go ahead and choose the California king-sized bed.  The western king may be a little narrower than the eastern king, but what it lacks for width it definitely makes up for length.  The western king comes in a size of 72 inches by 84 inches.  Again, just like its eastern counterpart, the California king can be a hassle to move around.

The size of the sleeping space matters a lot when it comes to having a good night’s sleep.  So, whenever you are in the lookout for a new bed, always pick the one that is the right size that you need.

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What To Look For In A Home Massage Chair

Massage chairs have the potential to be significant investment. Therefore, it is important for you to do some research beforehand. Your decision to buy a massage chair is typically influenced by your requirements and budget. Asking yourself some right questions to ascertain your needs before making the purchase can help you make the right choice.
   
A massage chair is specifically designed to stimulate the pressure points in your body and relax your muscles. A well-designed massage chair should provide you relief from pain as well as complete relaxation. The two most common types of massage chair are Shiatsu and Swedish massage chairs. Shiatsu massage chairs use a combination of movements to stimulate the body’s pressure points by the help of pressing, patting, sweeping, rolling, and rotation movements, while Swedish massage chairs use long and smooth strokes combined with kneading movement.

What Are Benefits Of Using A Massage Chair?
Knowing the benefits of a product like massage chair can emphasize the need for that product and educate you towards its important. The benefits of having a good massage chair are manifold specifically for your health. Here are some of the most common benefits:

* Totally freedom from stress and deep relaxation
* Relief from stiffness and tension in muscles
* Reduction in body tension and muscle spasm
* Better joint flexibility and wider range of motion
* Enhanced flexibility and efficient movement
* Reduced blood pressure levels
* Better blood circulation
   
Can Anyone Use A Massage Chair?   
Now that you know the benefits of massage chairs, you are probably interested in knowing who can use it. Well, massage chairs are typically designed for an average height of 5'10". So, if you are much taller or shorter than this height, we suggest you give the massage chair a try before buying it. Ask the massage chair salesperson to help you learn the controls so that you can adjust the position of the various nodes and rollers for maximum benefit. Certain brands, such as Panasonic offer massage chairs that automatically adjust to your height by sensing the top of your shoulders when seated. If you are over 6 feet tall or suffer from knee, hip, or lower back pain then don't buy a massage chair that is very low to the ground.

What features should the massage chair have?
Having too many features in your massage chair can mean paying a higher dollar. More often than not, most people use only some specific features on a regular basis. Choose a massage chair with features that match your needs. For ex: of you are prone to muscle tension and stiffness, then you should invest in a massage chair that offers excellent mechanical massage to your body or specific area of your body. A good example of this is the Isymphonic massage chair that has been designed to be especially effective in the neck and shoulder areas. Panasonic's Pro Elite comes with airbags in the chair’s arms that inflate and deflate to massage the neck and shoulder areas. Some other chairs have air bags that inflate and deflate in the legs and foot region, while others have them in the lower back, hip, and buttocks areas.

When testing the massage chair, also pay special attention to the pressure or intensity of the massage offered. Though the intensity of the massage can be adjusted according to individual preference, you must sit in the chair for at least 15 minutes to ascertain that the pressure and comfort are acceptable.

If you like to sit with your legs on a higher level, then check if the massage chair has an extendable leg rest or an ottoman.

Where Should You Put The Massage Chair?
Now that you have tested the massage chair and probably made up your mind about which chair to buy, it’s time to think about where you can keep the chair. Since massage chairs are bulky, they require more space. Usually, a bedroom or a home office is the most popular choice for putting a massage chair in. Discuss with people who will be using the massage chair to make sure that the place where you keep the chair works for them or not.

Reclining massage chairs can’t be kept with their back close to a wall. A better idea is to measure the space where you’d want to put the massage chair before making a selection. You can also seek the advice of a chair salesperson to find out the area required for your massage chair.

If you are not sure where you’ll put the chair, you may want to buy one with wheels like the Ijoy. Not only can you move it from one room to another but also keep it out of sight when not in use. But if you are facing a space crunch, then opt for a portable massage cushion. Though not as rich in features as a regular massage chair, the cushion can be placed on any chair and is easy to stow away.

What Should My Budget Be?
Budget! Perhaps, one of the main deciding factors when investing in a massage chair. The general range for massage chairs starts at around $700 and can go up to $6000 or more. A word of caution - price is not an indication of quality. High priced models are completely feature packed and you never use most of these feature in your lifetime!

Remember, a good massage chair can alleviate your daily stress and body tension in a matter of minutes. But never buy one without trying it out for yourself.

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Designer Handbags

With the urban rich adopting the attitude, “have money – will spend,” premium luxury brands are making a beeline for the high-end segment. Ladies are increasingly investing in fashion accessories, particularly designer handbags.

With an increase in disposable income, the potential is enormous. The biggest draw, though, is what the industry terms the image factor. Brand image has different connotations for different people. For young, it's being “in”; for the upper middle-class segment, it’s creating pockets of wealth in their lives; and for the affluent, it's an assertion of their class.

“When we establish a physical presence in any country, our target is long-term success, and not immediate returns; but we usually develop a strong customer base within a short time,” comments Prasanna Bhaskar, Retail Manager, Louis Vuitton. “About 300 Suhali Goat Leather Handbags priced at $2,893.96 were dispatched to a burgeoning market like India, but it turned out to be a gross underestimate of the demand; the entire collection sold out within two months.”  Bhaskar attributes this to the desire to associate with a well-known, high-end brand.

Another hot seller is a Marc Jacobs Quilted Venetia handbag in vintage-inspired quilted leather. Priced at $1,200.00,  the leather is complemented by brass hardware and luxe-suede interiors. The young at heart are snapping up Marc Jacobs Quilted Denim Large Hobo Banana priced at $875.00.  Everything about this Italian hobo, from the chunky brass straps to the slant zip pockets, makes it irresistible; the quilted denim is teamed with topstitched leather and signature hardware. Prada Lock Tote is in demand, too, and is characterized by antique leather trim, front flap, signature lock closure, and magnetic-snap front pockets.

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